Poisoned Turtle

"This turtle is just a waste of time! Let's all go and have fun devouring those hiding fish folks instead, what do you guys think? We can eat as many fish folks as we can. Don't forget to ask them too for any information regarding the half-breed. If they refused to say a word, just gulp them in one go and find others that might talk. Do you understand?"

"That's a good idea. Let's leave this peace of rock behind and feast on those gentle meat instead!"

"More meat than this stupid turtle. Now we are talking!"

"Can I eat coral houses too?"

The voices of the Thagdas can be heard from the outside. With Dash's extraordinary hearing, their excited and greedy intentions were heard loud and clear.

"This is bad!" Dash was not completely alarmed. The purpose of him taunting them is to waste their time as much as possible and recover his blue fire essence as quickly as he can.

However, it seems time is not on his side. Not even a single sign of Elric can be found everywhere!

Just where the heck did that hugon go?

"Let's go!"

The sound of the moving Thagdas vibrated under the sand, setting Dash in a tight situation?

"Should I go and stop them? Or is this a trap?" Knowing that time is of the essence, Dash knew that he needs to move fast. Every single second of hesitation could be potent in the lives of his people.

BAAANG!~

BAANG!~

"Stupid Barrier!"

BAANG!~

BAANG!~

"You are too weak, let me do it."

BAANG!

BAANG!~

Crrrackh~ Crracckh~

"Darn! What are you doing?"

"Eating this?"

"That is a barrier, you moron! It is made of magic made to stop us from going further!"

"-So I can't eat this?"

BANNG!

"Ouch."

The loud commotion from the distant by the Thagdas caught Dash on an even tighter position

"That sound. They are trying to break the water barrier!" panic quickly swarm Dash's face. But his instinct is also warning him of far greater danger. The fear of ambush when he reveals an opening is still itching on his head.

BAAANG!

"Finally! It is breaking down! keep hitting."

BAANG!~

BAAANG!~

BAAAAAANG~

BASSSH!

With the last loud vibrations from the distance, Dash has confirmed that the barrier that is stopping the Thagdas from reaching the Coral City has finally collapsed.

"Darn it!"

Without hesitation, Dash finally made his move.

Sand Impact!

Using all the compact sand layers in his body, Dash released a powerful force that sent the covering sand shells away to all directions. The powerful wave cleared even the remaining poison mist scattered in the area.

Dash gave a quick scan to the surroundings, looking for his enemies only to realize that they have left him alone.

"Darn it! Darn it!"

BOOOOOM!~

The huge explosion thudded from Dash's location as he madly drove his gigantic body towards the location of the shattered barrier.

Slowly, he compressed his body into a smaller version to run faster.

FWOOOOOM~

Dash left a long streak of sand dust as he paddled his hind legs towards the direction of the Thagdas.

"Look the turtle is coming!" The third-born noticed the incoming Dash.

The Thagdas were about to advance over the shattered magic barrier when they felt a tingling sensation of an incoming danger brought by the mad turtle.

However, instead of retreating, they repositioned themselves to face the incoming defender. Revealing their long black thorns covering their bodies. The real form of Thagdas is like a red dragon with overlapping blackthorns scattered across their bodies.

GROOOOAAA!~

WOOOOOOM~

The turtle saw the enemies repositioning themselves, seemingly prepared to face him again. Therefore, he quickly reacted by expanding his body again from a mere one-meter green sea turtle, back to his usual gigantic version.

WATER BLAST!~

ZWOOOOOM~

Rage, filling his eyes. He shot the first offense against the standing Thagdas using a powerful water current.

SHUUG!

Just when the powerful attack was about to reach them, a five-meter long Poison-coated thorn suddenly sprouted from the sand just under Dash's belly.

Hmp!~

KSSK~

With his greatest reaction ever, Dash still managed to dodge the ambush attack with a sudden tilt of his body to the right side.

Gssss~

He flipped mid-air and landed with a deep streak of drifting line. He remained on guard as he looked at the deep wound at his hind flippers.

"Darn it!" The fourth born Thagda revealed himself out from his almost perfect camouflage of the sand.

If not for his quick reaction, that huge poison-coated thorn could have pierced his heart through the belly - ultimately killing him on the spot.

Shuk~

Shuk~

Shuk~

Just when Dash was about to give a thorough check of his wound, another barrage of poisonous darts suddenly sprouted from his behind. Its aim was his to pierce straight to his tail, his head and to his front flippers.

Kssk~Clank! Clank~

Thank's to his supernatural speed as the Lord of the water realm, Dash still managed to minimize the damage by using his hard shell to deflect the incoming darts, save for the one that had successfully created another small wound on his tail.

"What? The turtle dodged the leader's sneak attack too?!" The third born was astonished at the big turtle's extraordinary speed. It was just simply amazing, how a species known for their sluggish nature is capable of unleashing incredible speed and reflex that comparable to light and flexible creatures like them.

Dash stood still despite the two horrifying wounds all over his body. His eyes continued to emanate his spirit. Not letting this end.

"I must secure the Golden Coral Cave entrance before they find it. Everyone is probably there. I must hurry up." Dash thought to himself while he disregards the scattering poison in his body brought by the wounds from the dark thorns.

His eyes scanned the area, creating his next plan to reach a certain place where everyone is hiding.

The Golden Corral Cave is a huge cave made entirely of gold hidden behind the golden Castle. It was a wide cave capable of protecting every single citizen from invading enemies.

The only problem is that once found, they have no other choice but to fall under the hands of the Thagdas since the only way out, is the only way in.

"Or I should lure them away?" The turtle thought. However, just as he was about to rush in the opposite direction, the three gluttons suddenly noticed something as they sniffed the area with their long snouts.

"Hey! Do you smell what I am smelling?" The firstborn inquired.

"Yes! Smells like fishes and merfolks. Sniff. There are children too!" The third-born added.

"It's coming from that direction!" The second excitedly said.

"Finally! Let's leave this ugly turtle behind!" With greedy eyes, the three of them started sprinting towards the golden palace.